9.4 /10 1 Votes
Written by Jo Yoon-young Country of origin South Korea Final episode date 1 November 2016 | 4.7/5 DramaFever First episode date 29 August 2016 Number of seasons 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Genre HistoricalRomanceFantasy Starring Lee Joon-giLee Ji-eunKang Ha-neulHong Jong-hyun Cast Lee Joon‑gi, IU, Baekhyun, Kang Ha‑neul, Hong Jong‑Hyun Similar Love in the Moonlight, Scarlet Heart, Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Y, The Legend of the Blue, Cinderella and Four Knights | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (Hangul: 달의 연인 - 보보경심 려; Hanja: 달의戀人－步步驚心 麗; RR: Dar-ui yeon-in - Bobogyeongsim ryeo) is a South Korean television series based on the Chinese novel Bu Bu Jing Xin by Tong Hua. It aired from August 29, 2016 to November 1, 2016 on SBS every Monday and Tuesday at 22:00 (KST) for 20 episodes.
Contents
Despite its ensemble cast, extensive publicity and US$13 million production budget, the series only averaged single-digit audience rating of 7.59% in South Korea. A commercial failure, it also received criticisms for its screenplay, direction and performances.
Synopsis
During a total solar eclipse, a 25-year-old 21st century woman, Go Ha-jin (Lee Ji-eun), is transported back in time to Goryeo Dynasty. She wakes up in the year 941, in the body of Hae Soo and there, she encounters the many royal princes of the ruling Wang family. She initially falls in love with the gentle and warm 8th Prince Wang Wook (Kang Ha-neul), and later Wang So (Lee Joon-gi), the fearsome 4th Prince who hides his face behind a mask and is given the derogatory label "wolf dog." Meanwhile, rivalry and politics ensue among the princes, in a fight for the throne, as Hae Soo finds herself unwittingly caught between it all.
Production
The first script reading took place in January 2016 and filming began on January 27 in Gangwon Province, with some palace scenes shot at Baekje Cultural Complex. Scenes were also recorded at Cheonjuho lake (천주호) in Pocheon and Ondal Tourist Park (온달관광지) in Danyang, North Chungcheong. The traditional hanok scenery of the Nampyeong Moon clan residence in Daegu was also used as a background. Filming ended on July 1, 2016.
Ratings
Note: Episode 16 didn't air as scheduled (Monday, October 17) due to a baseball game.
International broadcast
The series aired at the same time as its Korean broadcast on Youku in China, LeTV in Hong Kong, ONE TV ASIA in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia under the title Scarlet Heart, and HTV2's official YouTube channel streamed it in Vietnam under the title Người Tình Ánh Trăng from September 30. In Japan, it aired on KNTV starting September 17, 2016 under the title Bright ~Eight Flower Princes (麗＜レイ＞～花萌ゆる8人の皇子たち～). The drama aired in greater Los Angeles area on LA 18 KSCI-TV with English subtitles, starting September 26 to November 29, 2016. In Thailand, the drama aired in Channel 3's 3 Family, starting October 27, 2016. Due to its simultaneous broadcast and extensive publicity campaign, including a fan-meeting with Kang Ha-neul before the premiere, the drama was well-received in Singapore and Malaysia, and has 2.5 billion cumulative views on China's biggest video platform, Youku.